From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Lapid warns Israel must choose between democracy and theocracy
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Israel is now facing “an era of opportunity” but to take advantage of it, citizens must choose between democracy and theocracy, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid declares at a conference organized by the Calcalist financial daily.
“We are in an era of opportunity. Trump’s second term, MBS’s regional ambitions in Saudi Arabia, the weakening of the Iranian regime, the crushing of Hamas and Hezbollah — all of these could lead us to a new and wonderful world,” Lapid states.
“But Israel must choose. Both at the ballot box, but also in a much deeper sense. Will there be an extremist halachic state here, or a democratic Jewish state? A messianic government with a prime minister who feeds on our internal division, or a sane government that will unite us around common values? The decision we make will determine not only our future, but also the future of our children.”
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